Death toll rises to 28 as heaviest rains in 50 years batter Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India

At least 28 fatalities have been reported across the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, India, due to very heavy rains that have been battering the states since August 30, 2024. Floods and other rain-related incidents have claimed 16 lives in Telangana and 12 in Andhra Pradesh so far. 31 238 people have been evacuated and 450 000 people have been affected due to the downpours across both the states, rescue and relief operations are underway.

Rains triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal have been battering the region since August 30 bringing in record rains and floods in which at least 28 people have lost their lives in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

At least 16 people died in Telangana and 12 in Andhra Pradesh as of September 2, due to floods and other rain-related incidents. Roughly 31 238 people have been evacuated from various regions to 166 relief camps across both states due to intense downpours.

In Vijayawada, over 370 mm (14.5 inches) of rain fell just on August 30, this was the heaviest rainfall seen by the city in 50 years, flooding nearly 40% of the city. Over 276 000 people have been affected by the flooding in Vijayawada and 450 000 people have been affected in total across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

According to the Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS), between August 30 and September 1, the following amounts of rainfall were recorded across the state:

• Kakarvai in Khammam district: 521 mm (20.5 inches)
• Inugurthy in Mahabubabad: 456 mm (17.91 inches)
• Redlawada of Warangal: 454 mm (17.91 inches)
• Chinna Gudur of Mahabubabad: 452 mm (17.80 inches)
• Mukundapuram of Suryapet: 443 mm (17.44 inches)
• Nellikudur of Mahabubabad: 435 mm (17.13 inches)
• Pedda Nagaram of Mahabubabad: 411 mm (16.18 inches)
• Kommulavancha of Mahabubabad: 400 mm (15.75 inches)
• Malyala of Mahabubabad: 371 mm (14.61 inches)
• Danthalapally of Mahabubabad: 347 mm (13.66 inches)
• Maripeda of Mahabubabad: 336 mm (13.23 inches)
• Bachodu of Khammam: 336 mm (13.23 inches)
• Ayyagari Palle of Mahabubabad: 319 mm (12.59 inches)
• Lakkavaram Road of Suryapet: 311 mm (12.24 inches)
• Kalleda of Warangal: 301 mm (11.85 inches)

The map below shows rainfall distribution in 24 hours to 08:30 LT on September 2:

The South Central Railway (SCR) has cancelled 140 trains and diverted 97, leaving nearly 6 000 passengers stranded at various stations. A railway track was damaged in Telangana as floodwaters washed away the gravel under it. Schools were also shut down on September 2 in the Hyderabad District due to the heavy rainfall.

Visuals shared online show flood waters surrounding a train route that is still under operation:

Power supply has been cut in several areas due to flooding and mobile towers have also been affected causing disruptions in telecommunications.

The most affected districts included NTR, Guntur, Krishna, Eluru, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam, according to an official press release on September 2. 

Several roads, bridges, and power grids have suffered severe damage due to floods; 110 speed boats have been deployed for rescue operations in Andhra Pradesh. 20 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations.

As of 17:26 LT, on September 2, Two more SDRF and nine NDRF teams were en route to Vijayawada. As per the request of the Guntur and NTR district administrations, the Indian Navy agreed to deploy two choppers for search and rescue operations in the affected areas; one of which has already arrived in Vijayawada.

Drones were used to deliver essential supplies to people in the affected regions:

Irrigation officials estimate that the current floods could be twice as bad as the 2005 floods that submerged the city of Vijayawada due to the overflow of the Budameru River.

References:

¹ 40% of Vijayawada flooded; heaviest rain in 50 years sinks Andhra Pradesh capital region – TOI – September 2, 2024

² Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Rain Live Updates: Roads, bridges, and power grid severely damaged by floods; 110 speed boats deployed to rescue people in Andhra areas – TOI – September 1, 2024

³ 27 Dead In Andhra, Telangana Rain Fury, PM Assures All Help: 10 Points – NDTV – September 2, 2024

⁴ Andhra, Telangana rain fury: 19 dead, schools shut, 140 trains cancelled – India Today – September 2, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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